LED strip light

[lw395]

I bought a 5 meter strip of leds to play about with last summer. One of the things I did was to convert an existing 11 inch twin tube fluorescent fitting by cutting strips of led just slightly shorter than the tube, soldering wire tails on, then just sticking the strips to the old tubes. Connected up to the existing switch (bypassing the electronic gubbins), refitted the tubes in the fitting and refitted the old diffuser.

The resultant output was slightly less than the fluorescent tubes but not much. I reckon if I double up on the strips I'll have a really bright light with no hassle changing the fitting, wiring etc. Much cheaper than the led replacement tubes which are available.

I've fitted some in my garage, just stapled them under he shelf over the bench etc.
Excellent for losing shadows from the main lights.
I'm getting old, I need better lights these days!

 

[nigelmercier]

That's about right on paper, but in practice I think a lot of 12V fluorescent units are inefficient

This is true of some cheap fluorescent fittings, and indeed old tubes. In this case there may be a 20% output advantage to LEDs.

 

[Mudisox]

I have used strips of cheap 5m lengths but found all sorts of problems fixing them. I have now replaced all my internal lights with proper lamps from "Boatlamps", with dramatically improved ease of fixing and increased quality of light.

http://www.boatlamps.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d122.html

Not the cheapest option but they work wonders. I am just a satisfied customer.

 

[longjohnsilver]

I have recently used www.hmsmarinesupplies.com for a led striplight in the forecabin. I got the 12'' one as it would fit into the moulded recess in the side. The service was excellent, as it has been in the past. The produts of good quality. I'm happy with what I've recently had and in the past.

I've used them and bought the same lights, they are excellent.

 

[single]

I bought a 5 meter strip of leds to play about with last summer. One of the things I did was to convert an existing 11 inch twin tube fluorescent fitting by cutting strips of led just slightly shorter than the tube, soldering wire tails on, then just sticking the strips to the old tubes. Connected up to the existing switch (bypassing the electronic gubbins), refitted the tubes in the fitting and refitted the old diffuser.

The resultant output was slightly less than the fluorescent tubes but not much. I reckon if I double up on the strips I'll have a really bright light with no hassle changing the fitting, wiring etc. Much cheaper than the led replacement tubes which are available.

Exactly what i just did, but i used these with two strips stuck on each tube. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300935701277?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[Adrian Jones]

I have used four strip LEDs, three white and one red. The shortest white (~250 mm) is down to 30% still working, the longest (~ 800 mm) 60% still working, the next longest (~700 mm) still working and two groups of three flickering.

The red are still all operational but rarely switched on.

They are cheap and easy to change but the alleged longevity of LEDs leaves me wondering.

I would caution against using resistor controlled flexible lighting strip on any marine vessel as battery charging voltage will cause cumulative thermal damage to the strip by increasing LED current by 50% compared to current drawn at 12 volts. Lighting strip is designed to be used with constant voltage LED drivers in domestic premises ashore, not on your boat where supply voltage can vary. That is why the LEDs have been failing in your strip.

If a boat has a modern smart battery charger the voltage can increase to over 16V when in cell equalisation mode and current drawn by an LED strip will actually double. The effect on LED longevity is fairly obvious.

If you want to use LED strip then I suggest you consider using a DC to DC voltage stabiliser.

Regards

 

[Graham_Wright]

I would caution against using resistor controlled flexible lighting strip on any marine vessel as battery charging voltage will cause cumulative thermal damage to the strip by increasing LED current by 50% compared to current drawn at 12 volts. Lighting strip is designed to be used with constant voltage LED drivers in domestic premises ashore, not on your boat where supply voltage can vary. That is why the LEDs have been failing in your strip.

If a boat has a modern smart battery charger the voltage can increase to over 16V when in cell equalisation mode and current drawn by an LED strip will actually double. The effect on LED longevity is fairly obvious.

If you want to use LED strip then I suggest you consider using a DC to DC voltage stabiliser.

Regards

I'll do that. Can you recommend such a device please?

 

[GHA]

I'll do that. Can you recommend such a device please?

These work well

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-DC-Con...al_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item3cdbc368c7

 

[erbster]

I have used strips of cheap 5m lengths but found all sorts of problems fixing them. I have now replaced all my internal lights with proper lamps from "Boatlamps", with dramatically improved ease of fixing and increased quality of light.

http://www.boatlamps.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d122.html

Not the cheapest option but they work wonders. I am just a satisfied customer.

+1 for boatlamps. Parcel farce lost the delivery and boatlamps sorted things out v quickly.

 

[Nicholas123]

This looks stunning but I presume it is 240volts? http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/SID-2...ur-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=10566

Anyway I bought a very good little LED Sensor Light from LIDL's about three months ago that has four LED's & runs on AA batteries.It seems cracking & cost me about 6 quid. .......no wiring or use of main batteries & less to go wrong.Can't wait for some more to come in!